Encouragement for Today 5 November 2021 Devotions | Friday Message By Michael Todd
TOPIC: Grace Space
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“‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)
As the parents of four small children who are becoming increasingly confident in asking for what they want, my wife Natalie and I have found that one of the most useful words in the English language is “maybe.” “Maybe” means “perhaps,” “possibly,” “we’ll see” or “yes with a hint of uncertainty.”
“Daddy, can we get a slushy?”
“Maybe.”
“Daddy, can we go to the park?”
“Maybe.”
“Daddy, can we go to Disney World?”
“Maybe.”
“Daddy, can we get a dog?”
“No.” (Until Natalie chimes in, “Maybe.”)
Because they know their father’s nature, my children look at “maybe” optimistically. When Daddy says “maybe,” they get their hopes up. They see possibilities instead of problems.
I’m encouraging you to adopt this principle. When you wonder if “maybe” God will do something incredible, try not to list all the reasons it can’t happen. Instead, every time you hear “maybe” from God, what if you thought of all the reasons something incredible could happen?
In my faith journey, the word “maybe” has become unexpectedly valuable. It allows me to look at things that seem impossible and think, Maybe God wants this for me.
“Perhaps I can walk in that level of leadership.”
“It’s possible that my relationship could be whole.”
“We’ll see what comes from this baby step of faith.
“Maybe” does not have to kill your momentum. It may be the start of a miracle.
So how can you be confident that God will answer your prayers in the way you want?
You ready for this answer? Brace yourself. You can’t be sure. It’s almost always a “maybe.”
However, you can be sure that God hears your prayers and is moving on your behalf, for your good, right now. We are promised that in His Word. (Jeremiah 29:12-13; 1 John 5:14-15; Romans 8:28)
Your walk with Jesus is not based on facts — because you can never have all the facts. It’s based on faith, as 2 Corinthians 5:7 says: “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (ESV). Even when you’re not sure about what’s coming, you can be assured that Jesus doesn’t start anything He doesn’t intend to finish. He is “Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV).
Faith in God begins where human understanding ends. In other words, faith starts where we stop. Faith begins when we acknowledge we don’t know everything, and there are things at work in our lives and in the world around us that are way beyond our ability to comprehend.
God says in Isaiah 55:8-9, “‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts … And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’” God’s lowest thoughts are still higher than our greatest plans, programs and philosophies — and accepting that takes humility.
When you open your mind to the possibility of a miracle and think to yourself, Maybe that could actually happen, that’s real faith. The “maybe” doesn’t cancel out the faith — it leaves the ultimate “yes” or “no” in God’s sovereign hands.
When you feel a strong calling to sell your business and move overseas for missions, but then someone you respect questions your decision and asks, “Are you sure this is God?” — it’s OK to be in the gray space of not being completely sure. I like to call this the “grace space.” You don’t have to be sure as long as you trust that God is. Faith is being OK with not knowing, OK with the maybe.
Faith grows as we learn more about the God who knows everything. Our spiritual journeys are all about learning — progression, not perfection. Faith also grows wherever it’s planted, which is why it’s so important that your faith be deeply rooted in the Word of God.
The answers to your questions are not found in what you are believing for. They’re found in who you are believing in.
God, it’s hard to have faith sometimes. But today, I’m asking You to help me trust that You are at work whether I’m 100% sure of You or not. Your Word says that Your ways are higher than mine. I pray that You will fill me with joy and peace in knowing that You know everything, and I don’t need to. I want to wholeheartedly trust You, even in the “maybes.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Encouragement for Today 5 November 2021 Devotions is written By Michael Todd
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That dream God has given you might seem crazy right now. But what seems crazy in one season will be counted as faith in another. Learn how to step out in faith and dive into the purposeful life of trusting God for the impossible in Michael Todd’s brand-new book, Crazy Faith. Learn more at his website, IAmMikeTodd.com, or catch the book trailer here.
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FOR DEEPER STUDY
Matthew 17:20, “… Jesus told them. ‘I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.’” (NLT)
You may intellectually agree that God is trustworthy, but actually trusting Him means putting your weight on His Word. What action do you need to take to put more of your weight on Him? Who can help keep you accountable and encouraged as you act in faith?
© 2021 by Michael Todd. All rights reserved.
